The Christmas Baby (12 page)

“You shouldn’t have gone to so much trouble. But thank you.”

He was still holding her hands.

Undoubtedly, she was making a huge mistake. But she simply didn’t have it in her to stop herself. He kept one of her hands in his as they walked up the gangplank and stepped inside another world. Elegance. Beauty. Romance.

He smiled at her, that wicked, sexy smile she loved so much.

Oh, Faith. You’re toast.

“A
M
I
GOING TO
turn into a pumpkin at midnight?” Faith asked Brian.

Brian laughed. “The coach turned into a pumpkin. Not Cinderella. And you don’t have an evil stepmother so you couldn’t possibly be Cinderella anyway.” He tapped his wineglass against hers. “Happy birthday, Faith.”

“Thank you. I’m…a little overwhelmed. No one’s ever done anything like this for me before.”

Which was a crime. She deserved a man who would make her feel special. Not a man who’d desert her when she needed him, as Lily’s father had. And not a man like him, either, he acknowledged. A man who couldn’t give her the happy ending she should have.

She sipped her wine and looked out over the water, then glanced at him, her lips curving upward. “Did you arrange for the spectacular sunset, too?”

He returned the smile. “No, that was just luck.” Faith was right, the sunset was gorgeous. Pinks merged into shimmering red against the backdrop of the deep indigo ocean and the darkening blue of the sky. But beautiful as it was, the sunset didn’t hold a candle to Faith.

Her eyes sparkled with pleasure; her cheeks were pink with the chill of the wind on the water. Her face radiated happiness.

Oh, God, what in the hell was wrong with him? He’d just compared a woman to a sunset. “Are you cold? If you are, we can go inside and sit by the window.”

“Not yet. It’s so beautiful out here. I want to watch the sun set from the deck.”

But the thin jacket she wore wasn’t much protection from the chill. He took off his leather jacket and put it around her shoulders. Tempted to let his hands linger, instead he let go and stuck them in his pockets.

“But won’t you be cold?”

“Nah, I’m tough.”

She laughed and put up a hand to his coat, stroking the leather. “What kind of leather is this? I’ve never felt anything so soft.”

“Beats me. I walked into a store in Italy, said, ‘That looks good,’ and bought it.”

“Italian leather. No wonder it feels so incredible.” She sighed. “Don’t you ever shop for bargains?”

“Honey, I don’t shop at all if I can help it.”

She chuckled. “Spoken like a true man. My dad didn’t like to shop, either, but when he did, he never paid what they asked. For anything. He was a champion haggler. And my mom could pinch a penny tighter than anyone I ever knew.”

“Is that why you’re so thrifty?”

“Maybe. Plus, I’ve had to be.”

“Because of Lily.” Because the son of a bitch who’d gotten her pregnant had run out on her.

“Yes.” She sighed. “I wish my parents had lived to see Lily. They’d have loved her so much.”

“When did they pass away?”

“Five years ago. They’d always wanted to go to Europe and had saved until they were finally able to swing it. They did one of those tours of twelve countries in ten days, or something like that. But they never came back. Their train crashed in the mountains in Switzerland.”

“I’m sorry. You obviously still miss them.” He could hear the love for them in her voice.

“Always will. But I was lucky. They were terrific parents. I had a good foundation and now I have something to strive for with my own daughter.”

“You’re a good mother, Faith.” He raised his hand and touched the backs of his fingers to her cheek. It was soft, as soft as her baby’s skin. “You’re frozen. Let’s go inside. I think they’re ready to feed us.”

He took her hand and led her into the cabin. The lights were low, the furnishings elegant. The table was set with a pure white tablecloth, sparkling crystal, gleaming silverware, candles flickering romantically. A silver bowl filled with camellias floating on water stood as a centerpiece.

He immediately recognized the muted strains of classical music that played in the background. The Romeros playing Vivaldi guitar concertos was one of his favorite CDs. He had to admit
The Crystal Ship
did a nice job, and he was critical, having dined in some spectacular and expensive restaurants over the years and in many parts of the world.

He pulled out her chair and then took his own seat. The waiter discreetly appeared, offering them more wine and the first course. They’d had appetizers out on the deck, tiny canapes of crab and shrimp, served by the same man. “I’ll wait until the main course.”

“I should wait, too,” Faith said. “One is usually my limit. If Will or Lily wakes up—”

“I’ll take care of them,” Brian said. “You can have another glass.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to.”

Her eyes softened. “Thank you,” she said huskily.

She let the waiter fill her glass and started on the salad of field greens, pecans and apples with crumbled bits of blue cheese. “This is wonderful.” She took another bite and chewed slowly. He leaned back in his chair and smiled, enjoying her obvious pleasure in the food.

She glanced around the room. “I’m sure this was terribly expensive. You really shouldn’t have done it.”

“I’m enjoying myself, too, you know. Relax, Faith.” He didn’t think he’d ever had a date with a woman who worried so much about him spending money on her. Given the chance, most of them went through it like water. But then, he’d never troubled to look for a woman who wasn’t that way.

Once they were served their main course, a pan-seared red snapper in a creamy, delicate wine sauce, Faith took a bite and sighed. “Up to now, tournedos was always my favorite, but this is amazing.” She ate for a moment before looking at him with pure delight.

“I have a confession to make. I’ve never been on a cruise before. Actually, I’ve never even been on a boat ride before. This is a first for me.”

He’d never been with a woman who embraced life with her exuberance. Never known a woman who was willing to share even little pleasures with him and expect nothing in return.

The women he dated were beautiful, jaded, accustomed to being showered with gifts and the trappings of wealth. They would never dream of openly showing such joy in a new experience, as Faith had, and sharing that with him.

Those women were shallow, and he had never minded that in the past. Faith was anything but shallow. She was open and honest and loving. He’d seen her get as much enjoyment from eating pizza, playing with the babies or watching a movie at home as she appeared to be taking from this cruise.

“It’s a first for me, too.”

She sent him a doubtful look and took a sip of wine. “I don’t believe you. You’ve been all over the world and you’re telling me you’ve never been on a boat?”

“I’ve been on plenty of boats. Cruise ships, ski boats, fishing boats. But I’ve never been on a sunset cruise with a woman I consider a friend.” He took a bite of snapper. “To tell you the honest truth, I’ve never been friends with a woman before. Not one who isn’t related to me in some way.”

“You don’t think of any of the women you’ve dated as friends?”

He laughed shortly. “No, friendship has never been what they wanted from me.” They wanted to be wined and dined and gifted with presents. And they wanted sex. But friendship? Never. He ate some more snapper and mulled that over.

“You’re not interested in friendship, either, are you? Not with women.”

“I never have been in the past.”

“But now you’ve changed your mind?”

“I don’t know. I do know I like being friends with you. But other women—” He lifted his shoulder in a shrug. Strangely enough, even though he fantasized about taking Faith to bed, he did think of her as a friend. He’d never experienced that before.

Finished, he laid down his fork. “My life has changed a lot since I found out about Will.” And since he’d met Faith. She had changed his mind about a lot of things.

“I know what you mean. Children have a huge impact on our lives, don’t they?” Faith put down her fork and leaned back. “I can’t eat another bite.”

“Don’t forget about dessert. The waiter said something about white chocolate bread pudding. Here he comes now,” he added. The man placed the fragrant desserts in front of them and vanished.

Faith moaned. “You’re evil.” She looked at her dish. “What woman could resist this?”

But she didn’t pick up her spoon. “What are you waiting for? Dig in.”

“If you must know, I’m reminding myself how tight my jeans were this morning and trying to talk myself out of eating it. But it’s not working.”

He smiled. “Trust me on this, Faith. Your jeans are nowhere near too tight.”

She shot him a thoughtful glance. “I suppose a few bites won’t hurt. It would be rude not to taste it.”

“True. Besides, it’s your birthday. I’ve heard calories don’t count on your birthday.”

“That’s right. Just like whatever you eat when you’re standing up has no calories.” She paused before eating and said, “Maybe I should stand, to be safe.”

They both laughed. He watched her eat it slowly, savoring every bite. Resolutely, she laid down her spoon after she’d eaten about a quarter of it. “Aren’t you going to eat yours? It’s delicious.”

“I was having fun watching you. You missed a crumb, though. Right here.” He wiped his finger over the corner of her mouth, then licked it. “Yum.”

She laughed. “You couldn’t possibly taste it from that tiny bit. Here, try mine.” She scooped some onto her spoon and held it out to him.

He opened his mouth and waited for her to feed it to him. After a brief hesitation, she slipped the spoon inside. He ate it and ran his tongue over his lips before wiping his napkin over them.

“It’s good. Not as sweet as I’d like it, though. I have a real weakness for sweets. Desserts, candy.” He paused and met her gaze. “Women.”

Her eyes widened. A deep, rich chocolate-brown that whet a man’s appetite.

“Women aren’t sweets,” she said huskily.

“No, but you are. Sweet. Very sweet.”

Her eyes widened even more. She touched her tongue to her lips, unconsciously, he was sure. He wondered if it were possible to die from wanting to kiss a woman this badly.

Not just any woman. He wanted to kiss Faith.

“I—I need to—” She rose, obviously flustered. “I’ll be back.”

She walked out of the room quickly. In fact, she very nearly ran.

He signaled the waiter and asked him to bring the present that had been delivered earlier that day. Something told him Faith wasn’t going to respond to the gift as most of the women he knew would. He was anxious to see her reaction.

What the hell are you doing?
he asked himself. Wining her, dining her, romancing her. Fantasizing about kissing her, making love to her.

Oh, God. He was falling for Faith.

I
N THE RESTROOM
, Faith put her hands to her cheeks and willed her heart rate to slow down. She was not successful. Brian was making her crazy.

He wanted her. He wanted to kiss her, to take her to bed. She wasn’t a total idiot. She could tell when a man was flirting with her. When a man wanted her.

Yes, you are an idiot,
her sane self argued. Brian wanted her
for now.
But once he’d had her, the thrill would be gone. It wouldn’t last. Couldn’t possibly last. Faith would be heartbroken and he would move on. To other more beautiful, more sophisticated women. To women who were his type. To women without babies and complications. To women who were players, just as he was.

What if he just needs the right woman?
the starry-eyed idealist side of her argued.

Oh, and you’re that woman, I suppose?
Ms. Sane scoffed
. Get real, Faith.

She didn’t want to get real. Didn’t want to be practical, as she’d been her entire life. Especially since Lily had been born.

I’m celebrating my birthday. I’m on a dinner cruise. Why shouldn’t I be with a charming man?

Why shouldn’t she enjoy him? Even…kiss him. Kissing would be all right, wouldn’t it? She couldn’t go to bed with him, not without risking too much. Such as her foolish heart. But surely she could kiss him without taking too great a risk. Couldn’t she?

She needed to pull herself together. She refused to hide in the bathroom for the remainder of the most romantic, magical night of her life. For once she would simply enjoy herself and leave all the analyzing and worrying to the sane side of her, who could deal with it in the morning.

Tonight, she decided, she would leave Ms. Sane in the bathroom.

S
HE FOUND HIM
standing by the window, looking out at the lights twinkling along the shore. When he turned and smiled as she entered the room, Faith felt the urge to run a finger, then her mouth, over the sexy curve of his lips. She wanted to put her arms around his neck and kiss him, press her body up against him and feel the hardness and strength of him.

“I thought you might have jumped ship,” he said, amusement in his voice.

“Now why would I do that?” She walked over to him and gave him what she hoped was a sultry smile.

He grinned but didn’t answer. Instead he pulled from his pocket a long, slim, black velvet box tied up with a silver ribbon. “And that would have been a shame since I haven’t given you your present yet.” He held it out to her. “Happy birthday, Faith.”

She whipped her hands behind her back. “You’ve already given me this cruise. I don’t need another present.”

He reached for her and gently coaxed one of her hands, then placed the box in it. “Yes, you do. Everyone needs a present to open on their birthday.”

It appeared to be a box that jewelry would come in. A bracelet or a necklace. Surely he hadn’t given her jewelry.

She looked at the gift again, then at him. The corner of his mouth lifted into a beguiling smile as she stared at him. Smooth. Charming.

What was she thinking? This was Brian Kincaid. Of course he’d bought her jewelry.

She tugged at the end of the ribbon and let it fall, hesitating before she opened the box. Her breath caught in her throat. A slim, delicate bracelet of white gold and blue topaz sparkled against a background of black velvet. It was the most beautiful thing she’d ever seen. She shut the box with a snap, afraid if she looked at it for too long she would never refuse it.

“I can’t accept this.”

“Now why am I not surprised you said that,” he murmured, taking the box from her and opening it. He took out the bracelet and dangled it from his fingers. “Let’s see what it looks like on. Don’t you like it?”

“Of course I like it. It’s gorgeous. I’d have to be crazy not to like it.” She stood, still in shock, as he clasped it around her wrist.

“There. Fits perfectly.”

“That’s not the point.” She sucked in her breath, attempting to be resolute. “You can’t buy me jewelry. It’s too expensive. It’s too…” Her voice trailed off. Intimate. She imagined he bought all his women jewelry. All of his lovers. Which she wasn’t.

Oh, but she wanted to be.

“Brian, you’re incredibly kind to give me something this beautiful, but I really can’t accept it. I work for you. It wouldn’t be right.”

He laughed. “Why are you making such a big deal out of a little present?”

“It’s not a little present. A little present is a book or a CD. Not an absolutely stunning bracelet.” She looked at her wrist again. It suited her, she realized. Something she would have picked herself if she’d ever shopped for such a thing. The sky-blue stones sparkled in the candlelight. She wanted to keep the bracelet so badly she needed all her strength to resist.

“You shouldn’t buy me jewelry. I work for you,” she repeated.

“Not tonight, you don’t.” He took her hand in his and with his other one, lightly ran a finger underneath the slim band. He gazed into her eyes and she felt as if she were drowning in the brilliant green of his. “Tonight we’re just Brian and Faith. I want you to keep the bracelet, Faith. It would make me very happy if you would.”

Gorgeous pools of jade. Dark green and fringed with long black lashes. Utterly bewitching. “You’re tempting me.” With the bracelet…and so much more.

“I hope so.” He moved closer to her and his voice lowered. “Because you’ve been tempting me for weeks now.”

How was she to respond to that? Especially since she’d left her sanity in the bathroom. “We shouldn’t go there.”

“Why not?” He lifted her wrist to his lips and kissed it, just below where the bracelet lay.

Her skin tingled with the contact. Why not? A million reasons. And the most crucial was because she was falling in love with him.

Brian slid his arm around her waist and took her other hand in his, holding it against his chest. “Dance with me, Faith,” he murmured in her ear.

How could she not? She closed her eyes and let herself relax, let herself move with him. He danced well, which didn’t surprise her. She found she did, too, when she danced with him.

“Are you going to keep the bracelet?”

“I don’t know. I shouldn’t.” She sighed and leaned her cheek against his chest. “But you’re very persuasive.” Which he undoubtedly knew. So she decided to have a little fun with him.

She owed him one for flustering her so badly, “Did you know the blue topaz is my birthstone?”

“The saleslady told me. That’s why I chose that particular bracelet.”

“Do you know what it means? What the stone stands for?”

Puzzled, he looked down at her. “It’s supposed to stand for something?”

“Oh, yes.” She nodded solemnly. “All gemstones do. They all have a meaning.”

“What kind of meaning?”

“For instance, the birth stone for March is the aquamarine,” she said in her best lecturer’s voice. “It symbolizes youth and hope.” She kept her eyes on his when she told him, “The blue topaz stands for love. And fidelity,” she added, twisting the knife. She let that sink in then added, “Still want me to keep it?”

He actually paled. God love him, just as she thought, he hadn’t had a clue. She laughed out loud. “If you could only see your face right now. It’s priceless.” She patted his cheek. “Gotcha.”

His eyes narrowed. “Now who’s the evil one? A blue topaz doesn’t mean love and fidelity?”

“No, it does. But you clearly had no idea what you were doing, so you’re off the hook.”

He didn’t speak, but gathered her close once again as the song faded into another. James Blunt’s evocative voice. She’d heard the song, of course. But she’d never
felt
the song. Never felt…beautiful. Not like she did in Brian’s arms.
You’re beautiful, it’s true…

“Faith.”

She looked up into those sensual green eyes.

“You are, you know.”

She stared at him, mesmerized.

“You’re beautiful,” he said. Just before he kissed her.

Faith closed her eyes and put her arms around his neck, indulging herself in his kiss. In the featherlight touch of his lips against hers, his tongue slipping into her mouth, gently teasing, seeking an answer. She responded with her own tongue, tasting him. Dark, potent, masculine. And very, very knowledgeable.

Slowly, he ended the kiss, with one last meeting of their lips. He still held her in his arms. The music played on. But her world had changed. She’d never shared a more perfect kiss.

He shook his head and said, “Damn,” so softly she barely heard him. Then he bent his head and kissed her again. His arms tightened around her and she melted into him. One of his hands slid up her back and into her hair, angling her head so he could kiss her more fully.

Her knees turned to putty even as her breasts tightened, tingling with anticipation. But he didn’t touch her breasts, didn’t push her. He simply kissed her, consumed her, softly at first, then hotter and deeper and wilder, before he finally drew back.

If she hadn’t known better she’d have said he looked bemused. But that was crazy. Brian Kincaid, bemused by a couple of kisses? Not possible.

“Faith.”

“What?” She felt breathless. He’d driven all the air from her lungs. With a kiss. What would making love with him do to her?

“We’re back at the dock. We need to go.” He released her and she stood there for a moment, feeling adrift.

If the cruise hadn’t ended when it did…If he’d wanted to she knew he could have taken off her clothes on the spot. Or she’d have taken them off for him. She’d have stepped willingly back into his arms. Into his bed.

And if he asked her when they reached home…she still might.

N
EITHER OF THEM
spoke much on the way home. Brian didn’t know what Faith was thinking but he knew he’d lost his mind enough for both of them.

Who’d have guessed Faith would come alive like that in his arms? He could still feel her soft curves. Taste her, as sweet as he’d imagined, but sexy, even a little exotic.

Brian had kissed a lot of women. Some good. Some very, very good. Some bad, some mediocre. But he’d never been completely turned inside out by a simple kiss. Two kisses. Until he’d kissed Faith tonight.

Naturally, instead of putting distance between them as he should, he was holding her hand. Had been holding it since they’d walked off the boat.

What did that say about him? That he was completely nuts, that’s what.

He could have her in his bed tonight. He knew it as well as he knew his own name. He could touch her breasts, cup them in his hands, suckle them. He could caress her rear, pressing her against him, feeling every blessed curve against his own naked body. Taste every inch of her and slide inside her and make love to her until—

“What are you thinking?”

“Uh…nothing.”
Brilliant response, Brian.

“Are you sure? You’re squeezing my hand really hard. I thought you might be upset.”

He immediately loosened his hold on her poor hand, though he kept it in his. Damn, what a moron he was. “Sorry, I didn’t realize I was doing that.” He glanced at her but he couldn’t read her expression in the dark. “I’m not upset. Why would I be?” Crazy, maybe. But not upset.

“I don’t know.” She was quiet a moment, then said, “I had a wonderful time tonight. The cruise and…everything was amazing. I wish it didn’t have to end.”

This was where he could tell her it didn’t have to end. That they could take it to the bedroom and make each other very happy. But he didn’t say it.

If they made love, Faith would regret it. And so would he. Getting involved with Faith, taking her to bed, was a mistake. He knew it. She knew it, too.

A short time later they pulled up to the house. Once Jack and Ava left and they had checked on both soundly sleeping babies, they went back into the living room.

“Do you want a nightcap?”

Faith shook her head, smiling faintly. “Thanks, but I had plenty on the boat. But you go ahead.”

He didn’t want a drink. He wanted Faith. “I’ll pass on it, too.”

“I’m not sure how to thank you for everything you did for me tonight. It was…magic.”

He smiled. “For me, too.”

“Really?”

“It surprises you that tonight was special for me?” She didn’t answer, just looked at him with those beautiful brown eyes. “Tonight has meant a lot to me…but not as much as you do.” He was turning into a sap but she seemed to have that effect on him. He put his hand on her arm. “Faith, the night doesn’t have to end now.”

For a long moment she said nothing. “If it doesn’t, you know what will happen.”

“I know. I want to make love to you, Faith. And I think you want the same thing.”

Her eyes were an even darker brown now, brimming with emotion. Sadness? “Sometimes…Sometimes I want what—who—I can’t have. I don’t think I can have you, Brian. I’m nearly certain I can’t.”

“But you’re not sure, are you?”

“No, and I don’t think you are, either.” She put her hand around his neck, then guided his head down until she could reach him. As she’d done the night before, she laid her lips lightly, gently against his cheek. “Next time you ask me, if you ask me again, you need to be sure. Because I won’t have the strength to say no again.”

He knew he should be glad she’d saved them both from making a disastrous mistake. But, damn it all, he wasn’t.